When seeking to know God, we gaze into the Bible, and glance into the teaching of all others.
"Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17).
Only the Spirit-inspired words of the prophets and apostles bear the imprimatur of "Thus saith the Lord" and "It is written." All other Christian communication exists to help illuminate, explain, and enhance understanding of the Word of God. Our Heavenly Father calls certain ones to this holy endeavor, the faithful of whom all know that their words, whether spoken or written, call for the glance rather than the gaze. "Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee and thou be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:6).
This is not at all to discount the value and necessity of God-called preachers and teachers who help believers with other callings to better know God and His Word. We can never give enough thanks for those who "labor in the Word and doctrine" (I Timothy 5:17). It is, however, to emphasize the necessity for every Christian to personally devote themselves to hide the Scriptures in heart and mind. We live in a generation wherein the accumulation of such knowledge and understanding presents itself more readily than at any time in history (indeed, the thought occurs that as you read this on a computer or phone, the punch of a few buttons would easily exchange your present glance at these thoughts for the concentrated gaze at the Scriptures we suggest. You won't hurt my feelings if you do, even before finishing the reading of this message). I must be honest in admitting that I long for the day when rather than hearing believers congregate around, "Did you read Dr. Doe's latest," or "Have you heard what Preacher John said?", we far more exult in the wonders expressed by the apostles and prophets through whom God gave to us the sublime gift of the Scriptures. "Have you read what the Apostle Paul wrote?!"
At the judgment seat of Christ wherein the works of believers will be evaluated, we won't be able to respond to reproof by appealing to Dr. Doe or Preacher John. "What did My Word declare? And did you read and ponder it enough yourself to be able to believe, obey, and bear witness of its Truth to others?" This will be the question of that holy hour. It is the question of this holy hour as well. The Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died in order to provide the holy theme of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. Countless others through the ages gave their lives to make possible our free access to the Bible that provides to us the very words of God about our crucified and risen Savior. May our Heavenly Father grant much grace of remembrance that such a gift is given, and that He waits to meet us as we direct our gaze into the holy pages of His Word.
"I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil!"
(Psalm 119:162)
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
(II Timothy 3:16)
"Every word of God is pure."
(Proverbs 30:5)
Weekly Memory Verse
"O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth."
(Isaiah 25:1)
"Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17).
Only the Spirit-inspired words of the prophets and apostles bear the imprimatur of "Thus saith the Lord" and "It is written." All other Christian communication exists to help illuminate, explain, and enhance understanding of the Word of God. Our Heavenly Father calls certain ones to this holy endeavor, the faithful of whom all know that their words, whether spoken or written, call for the glance rather than the gaze. "Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee and thou be found a liar" (Proverbs 30:6).
This is not at all to discount the value and necessity of God-called preachers and teachers who help believers with other callings to better know God and His Word. We can never give enough thanks for those who "labor in the Word and doctrine" (I Timothy 5:17). It is, however, to emphasize the necessity for every Christian to personally devote themselves to hide the Scriptures in heart and mind. We live in a generation wherein the accumulation of such knowledge and understanding presents itself more readily than at any time in history (indeed, the thought occurs that as you read this on a computer or phone, the punch of a few buttons would easily exchange your present glance at these thoughts for the concentrated gaze at the Scriptures we suggest. You won't hurt my feelings if you do, even before finishing the reading of this message). I must be honest in admitting that I long for the day when rather than hearing believers congregate around, "Did you read Dr. Doe's latest," or "Have you heard what Preacher John said?", we far more exult in the wonders expressed by the apostles and prophets through whom God gave to us the sublime gift of the Scriptures. "Have you read what the Apostle Paul wrote?!"
At the judgment seat of Christ wherein the works of believers will be evaluated, we won't be able to respond to reproof by appealing to Dr. Doe or Preacher John. "What did My Word declare? And did you read and ponder it enough yourself to be able to believe, obey, and bear witness of its Truth to others?" This will be the question of that holy hour. It is the question of this holy hour as well. The Lord Jesus Christ suffered and died in order to provide the holy theme of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. Countless others through the ages gave their lives to make possible our free access to the Bible that provides to us the very words of God about our crucified and risen Savior. May our Heavenly Father grant much grace of remembrance that such a gift is given, and that He waits to meet us as we direct our gaze into the holy pages of His Word.
"I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil!"
(Psalm 119:162)
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
(II Timothy 3:16)
"Every word of God is pure."
(Proverbs 30:5)
Weekly Memory Verse
"O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth."
(Isaiah 25:1)
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